On October 15, 1951, a son was born to the late Fannie Sturdivant Burch and Leroy Watkins.

He departed this life on the first day of winter, December 21, 2024, at Atrium Health Pineville Hospital, Pineville, NC.

He confessed Christ at an early age and joined Cedar Hill AME Zion Church, Ansonville, NC. He later joined Cottonville AME Zion Church, Norwood, NC where he was a faithful member.

He attended the public schools of Stanly County and received his high school diploma while serving in the United States Marine Corp. He worked at Wiscassett Mills (Card Department and #7), Albemarle, NC and Romas Knit, Norwood, NC.

He was united in Holy Matrimony to Betty Richardson Sturdivant. He loved his wife and children, family gatherings and talking to the young people. He always kept up with current events.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Quintero S. Smith; his mother, Fannie S. Burch; his father, Leroy Watkins; his sister, Ruth Townsend Davis; and his brother, Preston Sturdivant.

Left to cherish the fond memories of Lee E. Sturdivant are his loving and devoted wife of 53 years, Betty Richardson Sturdivant; children: sons Quentin (Rhonda) Sturdivant of Albemarle, NC, Quinlan Sturdivant of Norwood, NC, and Clavonne (Tina) Stitt of Charlotte, NC; son-in-law, Darrell Smith of Spring Lake, NC; and daughter, Sonia Hood of Charlotte, NC.

Grandchildren: Captain Toimie (Kristyn) Sturdivant, Ta'Miyrah Gaines (Demarcus), Quinmalika Sturdivant, Sgt. Malik Little, Davon Smith, Dareek Smith, Dasavion Smith, Alex Smith, Sharrell Smith, Daylan Sturdivant, Jaxsan Sturdivant, Choyce Sturdivant, Clarissa Stitt, Kayla Stitt, Connor Stitt, Mykeiah Stitt, Chase Stitt, Zarstari Hood, Destiny Hood and Yasmine Hood; great grands, Lansin Sturdivant, Breslin Sturdivant, Nolin Sturdivant, Weston Gaines, Jordan Watson, Janae Watson, Melanie Wideman, Londyn Reid, Chase Wall, Chanz Thomas, Chyna Davis, Legend Withers, and Chasity Wall.

Father, James (Kay) Burch of Monroe, NC; brother, Richard (Brenda) Burch of Charlotte, NC and sister, Bridget (Rev. Scott) Mason of Charlotte, NC; brother and sisters, James Watkins of New London, NC and sisters, Lola Gardner of New London, NC, Renee Williams of Norwood, NC, Chante Watkins of New London, NC; brothers and sisters-in-law, Charlie (Kathy) Richardson of Norwood, NC, Linda Davis of Charlotte, NC, Pauline Grice, Brenda Richardson and Sylvia (Keith) Murphy all of Norwood, NC, John Davis of Charlotte, NC. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The Homegoing Services will be on Sunday, January 5, 2025, 2:00pm, at the Cottonville AME Zion Church, Norwood, North Carolina. Interment will be in the family plot of the Church Cemetery

The Sturdivant Family will greet family and friends on Sunday, January 5, 2025 from 1:30-2:00pm at Cottonville AME Zion Church, Norwood, North Carolina and at all other times at the family residence.

The public viewing will be on Saturday, January 4, 2025 from 4:30-5:30pm.

The services will be live-streamed on Facebook at H.C.SmithFuneralHome.